Tire building apparatus



5mm 2%, 3935. R. w. ALLEN TIRE BUILDING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet l ENVENTOR Ragmsnd Yf. AHen ATTORNELS June 25, 1935. v R A EN fifia TIRE BUILDING APPARATUS F'ileq Dec. 5, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR T 1 l r- W. Allen v Q m 2 3 1 h \1 IL ATTORNEYS June 25, 1935., R. w. ALLEN TIRE BUILDING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 R O T N E V m ATTORNEYS June 25 1935. R, w. ALLEN TIRE BUILDING APPARATUS Emma? Filed Dec. 5, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 52 INVENTOR "xfiagmond N Allen ATTORNEYS H6 A BY 2% June 25, 1935. I Q R. w. ALLEN 2,006,307

TIRE BUILDING APPARATUS 2 I I n9 9H7 Lid l 16 Q1 Ra. mond W. Pmen I INVENTOR ATTO RN EYS Patented June 25, 1935 TIRE BUILDING APPARATUS Raymond W. Allen, Akron, hio, assignor to The N Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, Akron,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 5, 1933, Serial No; 700,947:

13 Claims.

This invention "relates to tire building appara tus, and more especially it relates to apparatus for shaping pulley band or drum built tire casings to tire form, and for concurrently inserting flex- :5 ible expansible cores therein. 1

The invention is an improvement in that type of apparatus mentioned wherein the flat tire band'is shaped to tire form by means of superatmospheric pressure applied to the inner surface of the band, and the expansible core, in elongate, collapsed form, is fed into the tire end first.

'Ihezchief objects of the invention are to con serve floor space; to facilitate the-shaping of tires of relatively large size;v and to reduce the manual labor required. Other objects will be manifest. r 7

Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation; of apparatus emline 65 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a detail elevation, on a larger scale,

of a cam that operates a valve in a fluid pressure line; 0 i v Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig- ;55, ure 7;

Figure 9 is .a section on the line 9--9 of Figure ,2;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional viewcof a por-.

tion of the apparatus shown in Figure 2, as it appears in the initial phase of operation, and the work therein;

Figure ll is a view. similar to Figure 10 showing the apparatus at a subsequent phase of operation; F V

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 10 showing the apparatus as it appearsin the final. phase said inner cylinder being closed by a cylinder of operation; and

V Figure 13 is .a diametric sectional view of a shaped pneumatic tire casing, andan expansible core therein. 0

Referring to the drawings, is a base plate, and rising from opposite sides 'thereofare supporting columns 2i, 2| that carry, at their upperends, a generally cylindrical, vertically arranged Figure 6 is a section on a larger scale on the housing 22. Concentrically disposed interiorly rear ends are provided with respective worm gears 28 that mesh with respective worms 29 that are mounted upon a oommon shait 30, the latter being journaled in the housing 22, at right anglesto shaftslZ'l. At one end the worm shaft 30 is'p rovided witha gear, 3|, that is meshed with a driving-gear 32mounted; upon the shaft of a two-speed motor 33, the latter being supported upon a shelf or bracket 34 carriediby one of the columns 2|,- The motor 33 is provided with a magnetic brake 35, Figure 1 by means of which it maybe quickly stopped, 'A foot control 36 is provided for motor 33,, said control comprising a switch 36a -for causing the motor to rotate in thedir ection to lower the cylinder 23 and a switch- 36b for causing the motor to lift the cylinder: 23. l

To give rigidity to the outer cylinder 23, especially in itslowered position, the lower end there of is provided with a cross head 31 that is formed with laterally extending arms that engage respective vertical-guide rails 38, 38 mounted on theinnerfaces of the respective columns 2|, -Secured to the bottomface ofwthe cross head 3! is an axially apertured, frusto-conical, upper head 39 that tapers downwardly toward its axis, said head being adapted to engage one edge of a drum built tire band as subsequently will be explained. H Q,

Concentricallyidisposed interiorly of the outer cylinder 23, and spaced from the wall of the latter,- is an inner cylinder 4 I, the lower end of which rests upon the upper head 39, .the upper end of head142 that bears against an, annular flange. formed on the inner periphery of outer cylinder 23 about. midway between its respectivewends. The innerperiphery of the inner cylinder M is flush withQthe aperture in the upper head 39.

Extending through an axial stufling'box 45,. in the'cylinder head 42 is a tubular'plunge'r 46 upon the lower end of which is mounted a plunger-head gage the inner surface of cylinder 4|.

4], the latter being provided on its upper face with four guide rollers 48, 48, Figure 5, that en- 7 V The periphery of the plunger head is provided with a gasket 49 making sealed engagement with the cylinder 4|, and an annular series'of apertures 50, 50 extend through the plunger head and thus providevents from the interior of said cylinder. The lower ends of apertures 50 open into the inf terior of ahollow spray plate 5| that is secured to the bottom of the plunger head 41. The perirneter of said spray plate is of somewhat smaller diameter than the inside of cylinder, and its peripheral wall is slotted at a plurality of may be projected through the slots 52 of a motor 89 that is mounted, upon .points 52, 52, Figure 6, the arrangement being such that fluid from the interior 'ofcylinder 4| for a purpose presently to be explained.

The spray plate 5| is formed with a downwardly projecting lug 53 formed with a downwardly sloped, diametriddovetail 'slideway inwhich is mounted the complementally shaped shank of a hook'54, a suitable adjusting screw 55 being pro vided for adjusting the hook 'longitudinally'of said slideway. Preferably the hookopenstoward the rear" of the apparatus, as shown, the arrange: ment being such that an annular, flexible, ex pansible core 56 maybe engaged by said hook and drawn up into the inner cylinder 4| when {the plunger head 41 is moved upwardly. Thea'djust able feature of the hook 54 makes it adaptable for engaging expansible cores of various sizes.

For reciprocating the plunger head "there is provided a screw 58 that'is threaded througha nut 58 that is fixed in the upper end of the tubularplunger' 46. Keyed to the nuts: isayoke.

60, havingja pair of arms that extend forwardly andrearwardlyrespectively,the free end of each of said arms being provided with'three rollers,

clearly shown Figure arrangement "prevents turning'of the nut 53 and gives rigidity to the upper end of theplungeri. The'screwf 58 is journaled near its upper end in suitable bearings carried by 'a'gear housing 88 mass; I mounted upon the upper end of outer cylinder;23:

Theupper end portion ofscrew 58 carries-a gear 0 1 that is meshed with a pinion 88 on the shaft a vertical axis,atop the housing 58. r 7 f 1 Thegear housing 88 overhangs the cylinder 23 at the front thereof, and in said overhangingportion of said'housing is journaled a short vertical shaft I I, Figure 2, that'carries, within the hous-' ing, apair of gears '12, and I3 of which the larger gear 12 is meshed with the pinionf88on the motor shaft. The smaller gear 13 mesheswith an. idler gear I4, and the latter is meshed with a gear I5 that is feathered on a shaft I8. latter extends freely through suitable bushings mounted 'infthe upper and lower walls of' the housing 68, and extends downwardly therefrom exteriorly of the cylinder 23, and ,has-its'low'er.

- end; threaded into a cam block" that is slidably mounted for vertical movement upon'la switch plate 78 mounted upon the front of the housing 22. At an intermediate point the shaft extends through a bracket I3 that is mounted upon housing 22, and collars 80, 80 on the shaft at each side of said bracket prevent longitudinal movement of said shaft. The arrangement is such The switch plate I8 is formed with a dovetail slideway for a pair of slides, such as the slide 82,

upon which aremounted respective upper and lower limit switches 84, for stopping the drive of motor 68 at determinate points in the-travel of the plunger head 41, said switches having their operating levers positioned in the path of movement of the cam blockllso as to'be operated by the latter.

tions of the slides 82, 83, said screws being supthe housing 22. trolled by a switch 88 on one of the columns 2|;

Respective adjusting screws 85, '81 are provided for adjusting the relative posi- The 'shaftH, Figure 1 extendsthrough'the bottom of gear housing 6'3, exteriorly of cylinder 23, and'on itslower end carries a bevel gear 9| that is meshed with a bevel gear 82 on one end of a short shaft 93, the other end of shaft 93 carrying a sprocket il lc'onnected by sprocket chain 95 with sprocket 96 on the shaft of a centrifugal The function of switch 91 f governor switch 91. is to prevent excessive speed of motor 69 Connected to the bottom of gear housing 66 and extending downwardly therefromyat the front of the machinais a tie rod 89 to the lower end of which is attached a cam block I00 that is slidably mountedfor vertical movement upon a switch plate I0! mounted upon the front'of hous-' ing 22, beside switch plate .18. Mounted upon I05 respectively being in fixed positionon the switch plate; The intermediate switches I03 and I04 respectively are adjustable relatively of each other and of the upper and lower switches by means of respective adjusting screws I01, I08,

which screws are mounted in the flange 88.

The uppermost switch I02 is a limit switch that stops the motor 33 and applies. the brake 35 thereto when the cylinder 23 reaches the uppermost limit of its travel. The. switch I03 cuts'out the high speed of the motor 33 and reduces it to 'low, speed during'the' downward travel of the cylinder 23. The switch I04 cuts out the low speed of the motor 33 during the downward travel of the said cylinder. And switch I05 is a limit switch that applies the, brake 35 to themotor if the cylinder coasts too farafter the motoris cut off by switch I04, The motor 33 is manually controlled by a switch I08 beside switch 89 on the column 2|.

Fixedly mounted uponan annular flange II2 rising from the base plate 20 isa frusto-conical, lower head II3 that is in axial alignment with upper head, 39 and'reverselytapered with relation to the latter. The lower head I I3 is adapted to support a drumbuilt the band, such as is shown at I I4, by one margin thereof in position to have its other margin engaged by the upper head 38 during the operation of the apparatus. Thusthe said upper and lower headsseal the interior of thetire band so thatit will retain presfrom below the housing 22, as is most clearly band centrally ,to tire shape, thereby permitting the expansible core 56 to be inserted into' the tire. 1 v

The lower head I I3 is formedwith an upwardly opening, axial recess II6 of substantial size," and yieldingly mounted in'said recess is deflector member H1 that'is of inverted cup-shape form. Saiddefiector is backed by a pair of compression springs IIB, II8, and its upward movement is limited by apair of bolts II9, the normal p'osl tion of the. top of: said deflector beingsomewhat above the top of lower head I-I3. The deflector III 'is formed with a central vslot I thatis alignedwith the hook 54 and receives the latter when theplunger head 41 is in itslowe'rmos't po-' sition, as shown in Figure 12'. V

Fluid pressure to expand the tire tire shape-is admitted thereto through the spray ring.5I, from the inner cylinder' i'4l, and it is admitted to said cylinder throu'gha pipe I22 that opens into'said cylinder throughthe cylinder head 42. .The pipe I22extends'throughthe outer cylinder 23 near the top thereof, and extends downwardly, ,exteriorly of "said cylinder, through i aslip-ioint I23,.to any suitable source of supply (not shown). .Exteriorly. of the machine there isa valve I24 in the pipe I22, the operating lever of said valve extendingrinto the path of a cam I25 carried by the cam block I66. As is best shown in-Figures '7, and 8, the cam I25 is a vertical metal strip that is tapered at its lower end, andgpivotally mounted upon the free ends of a'pair of parallel arms I26, I26 that are pivotally mounted at I21," I21 upon abracket I28 that is vertically adjustable upon the cam block I00. A link I29 connects the arms I26 at an intermediate point. The bracket I28 is so constructed that the-free ends of arms I26 may move downwardly but not upwardly from a normal horizontal position, and a tension spring I30 connecting the upper arm I26 to; an extension I3 I of bracket l28 normally supports said arms in horizontal'position The arrangement is such that cam I25 may be adjusted relatively of valve I24 soas to engage the latter at a determinate time during the downward movement of cylinder 23, which time isafter theupper head 39 engages the ,upper bead of tire band I I4, with the result that fluid pressure automatically is admitted to'the interior of the tire band to shape the same. Downward movement of cylinder 2?,v carries the cam I25 past-valve I24 allowing the'latter'toclose and thus shutting off the fluid pressure to the tire. In the subsequent rising movement of the cylinder 23 the cam is moved past the/valve by reason of the'tilting of the arms I26 against the a manually operated whistle valve I34 disposedconvenier'itly for use by the operator." If desired, a lubricant such as soapstone dust maybe ap plied to the interior surface 'oflthe tire II4 by means of a/ pipe I35 from a suitable source of lubricant (notfshown), there being a manually operated valve I36 in said pipe; I35.

For evacuating fluid pressure from the tire I I4 after it is shaped to tire form and the expansible core 56 mounted therein, there is provided a short vent pipe I38 that communicates with'the,

interior of inner cylinder 4i, and projects there band new shown in Figures 1 and 5, said vent pipe being provided with a manually operated whistle valve Collapsing of the expansible core-56 is faciIitat to the inflating stem I43 of the expansible core 56. -The pipe -I4I extends upwardly fromthe cylinder head 42 and extends outwardly through the cylinder 23 near the top thereof, Exteriorly of saidcylinder the pipe I II extends downwardly 7 through a slip joint I44 to a four-way, manually operated valve I45 that has connection through of inert gas, suchas carbon dioxide (CO2) gas.

The valve also has connection through pipe I41 with a sourceof suction whereby subatmospheric pressure may be establishedin the, core 56. I In the operation of the apparatus, the respective parts thereof being in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2, an expansible core 56 is suspended from hook 54 and the flexible hose I42 is connected to the inflating stem, I43 of said core, said inflating stem preferably being disposed at the lower side of the core. The op-, erator then turns valve I45 to apply suction to the interior of core 56 causing the latter some what to collapse, after which he presses. the properbutton of switch 39 to set the motor 69 in motion to rotate the screw 58 and thereby tq lift the plunger head 41 and with itthe hook 54.

'Thebperator then m'ountsia tire band H4 .7

uponlower head .I I3, and next operates foot control 36Lto1 closej switch 36a to set motor 33 in motion to lower outer cylinder .23 and upper head 39; The initial motion of motor 33 is at highfspeed; but is reduced to low speed when the cam block. I66 engages and'operates-switch I63,this occurring substantially at the time the upper head 39 engages the upper bead of the tire band. At about the same time the cam I25 engages'and opens valve I24 in the pressure fluid line I22, thus delivering air atsuperatmospheric pressure to the interior of the tire II4 to bow the middle thereof as the "descending head 39 moves the ripper bead'of the tire toward the lower bead thereof. Lubricant may be applied to the interior of the tire as it isthus formed by' opening-valve I 36 in pipeline I35. 7 v I 7 As the head 39 continues to descend,- the cam block-operates switchI 64 to cut oif current to the motor 33, the head coasting a trifle thereafter. If it coasts too far, the cam block will operate limit switch I05 to apply brake 35 to the motor. The head 39 and tire H4 are now in the positions shown inbroken lines in Figure 10. If the core '56 extends" beyond the bottom of the head' a pipe I46 with a source of supply (not shown) 39 it may depress the deflector pressureof springs H8. l r

' The operator thenreverses the motor 33, by means of switch I09, to raise the upper head 39 substantially to the position shownin Figure 11, the pressure within the tire keeping itsbead portions sealed against the heads 39, I I3. Next the proper button of switch 89 is operated to set the motor 6! in motion to operate screw 58 to lower plunger head 41 and hook 54. The operator'also turns valve I45 to release the suction in the core- 56 and concurrently to inflate the same with inert gas. As the core 56 is fed downwardly by ward movement of the hook ceases when cam block 11 engages and operates switch 85 to stop 7 T I therefrom into said tire, anda deflector positioned motor. 7 7 u u v The valve I45 is then turned toneutral position to relieve the pressure incore 56, andthe valve, I 39 manually operated to exhaust the pressure fluid from tire I I4. Foot control 35 may then be operated t 'drive the motor. 33 to lift the cy linder 23 and upper head 39 to the normal inoperative position shown in Figure 1, the motor stopping when cam block 100 engages and cpcrates limit switch I02. The tire H4 and core 58, assembled as shown in Figure 13, may be re-;

moved. from the apparatus as soon as thehose M2 is disconnected from. the inflating stem [43. Q1 said coreh This completes one cycle of operation, which may be repeated as desired.

i The apparatus is especially advantageous in the shaping of tires of relatively large size in that littlelifting of the tireand core is required, and

labor i's 'conserved.

[Modification may be resorted towithout departing v from the spirit of thejinvention or the gagethel opposite margin of said tire; and means 1 for: feeding an expansible core in Lcollapsed, elongate condition, .end first through the aperture in said movable head into the interior of the tire between said heads.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the

combination of a stationary lower head for sup porting a flat band tire by one margin thereof, an opposed, axially apertured upper head mov-- able toward and away from thelower head so as to engage the other margin of said-tire, and

means for pulling anexpansible core throughsaid [upper head to collapse and elongate the core, and subsequently to force said core backward through said had into the tire.

3. :In apparatus of the character described'the combination of a flxed head and a movable head adapted to cooperate in giving tire shape to a tire made in flat band form, a holder disposed exteriorly of the movable head forreceiving a circular expansible core, said holder being of a 1 width less than-the bead diameter. of the tire'so as to impart to said core an elongate shape, and

.I I1 against the said holder communicating with a pressurechamber defined between the opposed headsand within the tire, means for drawing the core into the it therefrom into the shaped'tire, and means for, supplying pressure fluid to said pressure chamber toassist the heads in shaping the tire.

. 4..In apparatus .of the character described,the combination of a pair of relatively movable, opposed heads adapted to engages. flat band tire at Qthe, respective margins'thereof, one of said heads. having an opening therethrough, means i'oihfeedingan expansible core in collapsed elongate condition end first through said opening into the interior of said .tire, and a yieldingly mounted deflector positioned at the axis of the otherhead.-

1 In apparatus oi the character described, the combination ofa'pair oi relatively movable, op-

adapted to engage a flat band the at respective beads thereof, a coaxial hollow holderaassociatedwith one of said heads, a hook movable into and out of saidholder for engaging acollapsible core to drawjit into said holder in collapsed condition and subsequently to expelit atthe axis of the other headand formed with a slotto receive said hook in the outermost posi tion ofthe latter.

'36. In apparatus of the character described, the combinationof' a flxed head adapted to support a flat'bandftire by one marginthereof, an opposedmovable head adaptedto engage the other margin of the tire, a holder associated with said movable head and cormnuni'cating atone end with a chamber definedby said heads and an interposed tire, a hook movable longitudinallyinto and out of said holder for drawing an expansible' core in collapsed condition into said holder" and for subsequently ejecting ittherefrom, and a -deflector axially disposed in the stationary head adapted to engage and laterally deflect said core as it is being ejected from said holder. J

A combination as defined in claim 6 including a yielding support for said deflector. f

8; combination as defined in claim 6, in which the'de flector is slotted to receive the hook in-the lowermost position of the latter. I

9 Inapparatus of the character-described, the combination of a stationary head adapted to support a flat band tireby the lower margin thereof, a'housing positioned above said head, a

hollow cylinder slidably mounted-in said housing,

an axially apertured head on the lower end of said cylinder adapted to engage the upper margin of said tire, a hook movable longitudinally within said cylinder for drawing an expansible core, in collapsed condition'into said cylinder and for subsequently ejecting it therefrom through the head onsaid cylinder, and means for moving said cylinder relatively ofv said housing to cause. it to enga esaid tire.

1 0;In appa atus the combination of a stationary lower headadapted tosupport a flat band tireby one margin thereof, a housing positioned above. said head,

'a hollow cylinder disposed in axial alignment with said lower head slidably mounted in said housing, an annular upper head on the lower end .of said cylinder, meansforr axially movingsaid or the character described,

cylinder to cause the head thereon to engage the upper margin of a tire positioned on said lower head, a plunger within said cylinder, a hook an expansible core, means for moving the plunger longitudinally of said cylinder to draw said core thereinto and subsequently to eject it therefrom, means passing through said plunger and connected to the said core to evacuate or inflate the same, and means for passing pressure fluid through said plunger to establish superatmospheric pressure on the inner surface of the tire when engaged by both of said heads.

11. A combination as defined in claim 1 including means for actuating said movable head comprising a pair of opposed rack and pinion members at the sides of said head, a pair of worm gears for rotating said pinions, and a pair of worms operatively engaging said Worm gears, said worms being formed on the same shaft and being right and left hand to provide an interlocking arrangement of said gears to prevent movement of the head except by rotation of said worms.

12. A combination as defined in claim 1 including a high and low speed mechanism for moving said movable head whereby said head may'be moved at high speed until it comes into engage-' ment with the tire and may then proceed at low speed during the forming of the tire.

13. A combination as defined in claim 1 including a high and low speed mechanism for moving,

in a direction away from said tire at high andlow speeds.

RAYMOND W. ALLEN. 

